Met Office daily weather: Widespread heatwaves as we head into the weekend

Friday will bring widely dry and sunny conditions across the UK, with only a few exceptions. The far northwest may start the day cloudier, but even here, sunshine will become more prevalent as the day progresses. Some low cloud may linger along Irish Sea coasts and could develop later along North Sea coasts, though this is expected to be patchy.

Winds will be generally light across much of the country, although the far northwest may experience moderate to strong breezes at times. Temperatures will be widely very warm, with inland areas of England, Wales, and eastern Scotland turning hot. Highs of 31-32°C are expected, with an isolated 33°C possible. Even northern areas away from coastal influences are likely to exceed 25°C. Cooler conditions will persist along windward coasts, where sea breezes will moderate the heat.

Friday night will remain dry and largely clear, with some areas—particularly to the lee of high ground, experiencing locally high overnight temperatures. Some low cloud or sea fog may develop around coastal areas, although there remains uncertainty in its extent and location.

Outlook for Saturday

Saturday will follow a warm to very warm night, with temperatures quickly rising through the morning. Most areas will enjoy another sunny day, with very warm to hot conditions expected widely, and locally very hot temperatures likely. Winds will remain mostly light, although a slightly fresher breeze may develop in the northwest and possibly other western areas later in the day.

Eastern coastal areas are likely to be cloudier and significantly cooler due to onshore breezes and low cloud. However, inland areas, particularly across much of England west of the Meridian, including the West Midlands, far eastern and southeastern Wales, the M4 corridor, and the West Country, are expected to see peak temperatures of around 33°C. There is a 30% chance of reaching 34°C and a 5% chance of 35°C. Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland may also see highs exceeding 30°C.

READ MOREMet Office 10-Day Trend: High pressure in charge with hot weekend on the way

Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Deakin, said: “Friday morning, when you pull the curtains back across the east coast of Northern Ireland, may well be a little bit murky. Some mist and sea fog that may take a while to clear away. Always the threat of it coming back, but tending to shrink as we go through the day.

“But generally, it is going to be a sunny day for the vast majority across northern Scotland. Those weather fronts finally starting to peel away and it will again be hotter by a degree or so. More widely over 30°C across the heart of England. 31°C, 32°C likely in one or two spots. The coast will be a little cooler.

“A barmy summer's evening this Friday if you're heading out. And then as we head into the weekend, well, temperatures will be ticking up a little further on Saturday. We'll see the peak of the temperatures probably across East Wales, West Midlands down to Hereford, Gloucester, that sort of area. 32°C, 33°C, perhaps even a degree or so higher in one or two locations. A little cooler on some of these eastern coasts, a little warmer perhaps in northern Scotland.”

Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.